Bulk vs. Tinned

[newbroom]

I smoke all day. I burn a fair bit of tobacco, am on a fixed income, and find that bulk tobacco is quite satisfying and much easier on the budget.

I keep some 'blending' additives like Perique and Latakia on hand, but my rotation is normally comprised of D&R bulk blends that I keep in coolers in their bags and remove to smaller plastic tubs as needed.

I like the idea of having lots to smoke on hand and not having to pursue replacement tins on a regular basis.

Maybe my 'standards' are not as high as some of you other guys and gals?

I mean, tins of tobacco are quite nice, but they're much more expensive to smoke and to me the differences are negligible.

 

[philairfoil]

I like to buy a bulk, and if I like it...buy a tin for keeping at the desk and refill it from the rest in a mason jar or two...or three...
Save the labels from the baggies the bulk comes with and mark your jars with 'em.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Didn't Brain talk about this on one of the recent PipesMagazine Radioshows? They are not the same exact blends for many of the companies, sometimes with a different plant making the bulk versions. Plus, the ingredients are not always exact either. But, the price break offsets the inconsistencies. But, there are more differences than you'd think...
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/radio-talk-show/the-pipes-magazine-radio-show-episode-264/#more-10810

 

[samugeki123]

But that makes a ton of sense that it would be different. It is like making stew on an industrial scale versus for your family. Not everything will be the same due to price, quantity, etc etc etc

 

[cigrmaster]

I have 5 bulk blends in my cellar and they are:

Solani Silver Flake comes in a tin but it is not vacuumed sealed so it is a bulk.

Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake

Samuel Gawith St James Flake

Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake.

Hamborger Veermaster- bought 1 pound and 1/3 of it was shake. It was the most pitiful pound of tobacco I have ever seen. Only bought tins since.
In my opinion the tinned versions of the SG flakes is different than their bulk. The bulk versions are long thick flakes that are like beef jerky. The tinned versions are cut smaller obviously to fit in the tins,but the flake is also thinner and more pliable making it easier to smoke. Taste wise I cannot tell a difference. I am lucky in that almost all of my favorites come in tins only and I don't have to choose between bulk and tins.

 

[derekflint]

IMO a flake in bulk is probably the same as the tinned although it might be a bit thicker, but it will taste the same. On the other hand a ribbon cut in bulk might be different than the tinned. It could be made or packaged at a different location or factory and the amounts of the different ingredients might be a little off, in which case it doesn't taste quite the same. Also, crumble cakes are probably the same in bulk and tins. Buying ribbon cuts in bulk is a bit of a gamble...if it's not exactly the same you have a lot of it !!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I imagine that they all try to be as similar as possible, but when we get to flakes, thin verses thick makes a BIG difference in taste to me. Even if I cube cut them, the chunks are going to be bigger than the thin, and the more mass to the pieces, the slower it burns giving it a whole different flavor profile, this the whole reason for flakes, right? I mean this is not a terrible thing, just different. But, I know that some guys, one slight variation, and they're triggered like an unattended piece of luggage at the airport. ::

 

[deathmetal]

Even if I cube cut them, the chunks are going to be bigger than the thin, and the more mass to the pieces, the slower it burns giving it a whole different flavor profile, this the whole reason for flakes, right?

I agree. Others can prove this to themselves by picking up a 3P and experimenting with the thickness of cuts. The way I like to cut it, nearly hair-thin, has an entirely different flavor profile.

But, I know that some guys, one slight variation, and they're triggered like an unattended piece of luggage at the airport.

Just don't call the luggage by the wrong gender pronoun.

 

[popeofpiping]

Brian did explain this in an episode. Top choice goes for tin production, rest to bulk.